Fantasy islands devoted to love, art and olives in the Seto Inland Sea

The Setouchi Islands are a collection of thousands of islands of different sizes dotting the Seto Inland Sea. A mild climate, clean beaches, and sparkling blue waters are common features of these isles, making them perfect for a short getaway from the nearby cities of Okayama, Takamatsu, Hiroshima, and Kobe. For art lovers, the islands are also home to the Setouchi Triennale Art Festival.

Don't Miss

Admire modern artwork in lush island surroundings

Visit the mysterious Angel Road sandbar

Try locally made olive products from Shodoshima

How to Get There

The main transport hubs for the Setouchi Islands are Okayama, Hiroshima, and Kobe on Japan's main island Honshu, and Takamatsu and Matsuyama on Shikoku.

Naoshima, Teshima, Shodoshima and the other major Setouchi art islands are most easily accessed from the ferry port in Takamatsu, just a short walk from Takamatsu Station. Express trains run to Takamatsu from Okayama, and there is a major bullet train line between Osaka and Hiroshima. Domestic airlines serve Takamatsu from Narita, Haneda, and Naha.

Visiting the Setouchi Islands requires planning, particularly for transport connections between the islands. Services can be irregular during the off-season, and depending on your itinerary, layover times can be long.

A perfect pilgrimage for art lovers

The Setouchi Islands are particularly known for their thriving local art scene. A must-see for contemporary art fans, the site-specific and community-focused Setouchi Triennale showcases works from both Japanese and international artists. If you're visiting at other times of the year, some works are permanent island fixtures.

Naoshima Island, home to about 3,400 people, is at the forefront of Setouchi's artistic revival. Consistently making "Best of..." lists, Naoshima attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Top sightseeing spots include Yayoi Kusama's iconic pumpkin statue at the Benesse House complex and Claude Monet's series of waterlily paintings in the Chichu Art Museum, one of many buildings designed by renowned architect, Tadao Ando.

The island features an art facility in which you can take a bath, Shinro Otake's Naoshima Bath "I♥Yu". Also not to be missed is José de Guimaraes's public artwork inspired by classic Japanese bunraku puppet theater.

Be lucky in love at Angel Road

Each year couples flock to Shodoshima Island to walk along the Angel Road, hoping to fulfill their romantic dreams. Angel Road is a sandbar that appears only twice a day during low tide and connects the beach to the tiny islet of Yoshima and other islands. People believe if you cross this path with your loved one, eternal love is yours.

Check the low tide timetable beforehand, then walk Angel Road to Yoshima to hang a personalized wooden votive on a tree. To further cement your love, climb to the "Hill of Promises" observation deck from the beach and ring the bell.

Relaxing in the olive groves

Shodoshima Island was also the first place to cultivate olives in Japan. Strolling through Olive Park, it would be easy to mistake the area for a small Italian town.

The olive groves are the park's main attraction, but souvenirs and olive-related products such as cosmetics and ice cream are also worth checking out. With the scent of olives and herbs lingering in the air, Sun Olive, a public bathhouse heated by natural hot springs, is ideal for relaxing after exploring the groves.